Championship / Andrew French / 20 October 2008 /

The Championship is fast becoming the most consistently inconsistent league, says Andrew French.

It's getting to the stage where the Championship fixtures should come with a health warning, not just for punting purposes but also for the sheer risk to the wellbeing of the fans.

Have a look at the league table - there is just one win between Cardiff, who are fourth, and 15th-placed Coventry City. Sheffield Wednesday's derby win over their United neighbours on Sunday was enough to move them up a ridiculous 11 places.

It's rapidly becoming the most consistently inconsistent league of them all - and that's not me talking through my pocket after high-flying Reading let a lead slip at struggling Preston to cost me a near [30.0] fourfold on Saturday!

I mention all this because when I glanced at the full list of midweek Championship games, my initial thought was there were some nailed-on certs to be enjoyed - but such is the minefield of form in this division, you might want to take the advice I offer and then place bets that directly contradict me!

However, even allowing for their defeat at Preston on Saturday, I have to stay faithful to Reading as they have been quite stunning at home so far this season - and the visit of lowly Doncaster ought not to present too many hurdles to the Royals making it six out of six in the league at the Madejski.

Steve Coppell's boys have won the five so far with style and goals as well (19 for, and just three against), and newly-promoted Rovers have lost their last four on the road, shipping 11 goals in the process.

Even allowing for the seeming ease with which lost causes can regularly overturn the title chasers in the Championship, it's Reading for me at [1.44].

There will probably be a strong feeling of indignation around Bramall Lane this week after Sheffield United's derby defeat at Wednesday. A harsh red card in the first half changed the course of the game - and I expect them to take it out on Southampton.

United are unbeaten at home in the league and with an array of expensive forwards in their squad, Kevin Blackwell's side will always look to get the ball into the box as often as possible. That's bad news for Saints, who showed at the weekend that dealing with crosses and set pieces is not their strong suit. Okay, they didn't help themselves by missing two penalties, but the way they defended virtually handed a 3-0 win to a Watford side that had not previously been successful away from home.

At [1.74] I'll take the Blades to quickly put their derby misery behind them. And with a Reading/Sheffield United double paying around the [2.2] mark on Betfair Multiples, I'd urge you to pair up what I think look the stand-out bets of the night.

I'm also going to keep faith with Derby, who really have built up a head of steam in recent weeks after a start so bad that manager Paul Jewell's future at the club was questioned.

The Rams have now gone seven games without defeat and I believe they'll make it eight at Bloomfield Road against a Blackpool side with only one home league win so far. I'd be all over backing Derby at [2.8] if it wasn't for the fact the Seasiders have ground out a couple of draws in their last two home games - therefore, laying the home side at [2.88] is the alternative.

I will be backing Wolves at [2.34] to come away from Norwich with three points. I'm still feeling smug about tipping Mick McCarthy's side for the title before a ball was kicked, and the longer they sit top, the more inclined I am to let that bet run.

Their response to back-to-back defeats against Reading and Swansea was to beat Coventry at the weekend, and a combination of their stronger squad and better current form gives me confidence.

Norwich have slipped to sit just one place above the relegation zone, and they have not won in four games, scoring just once in the process.

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